ROLLING STOCK
The advantages of using GRPh Phenolic for rail interiors
GRPh Phenolic allows complex shapes to be moulded for railway interiors at a competitive price, meeting stringent British Standard fire specifications, and can be designed to be low weight with durable high quality paint finishes says Nick Maltby, managing director of Mtag Composites.
M
tag was formed in 2008, is ISO 9001 certified, and has seen rapid growth in
its range of Glass Reinforced Phenolic (GRPh) products for the rail and aerospace sectors.
Our team have over 34 years of experience in this sector and have used our combined skills to develop advanced manufacturing techniques.
The main advantage of the GRPh moulding process is that it gives rail interior design engineers more freedom to design complex shapes that can be achieved with special composite mould tool design.
Mtag has also developed its own Closed Mould Water Heater Vacuum Infusion Process (VIP), which are relatively low cost composite tools when compared to the cost of steel tools.
This allows a number of mould tools to be manufactured for the same tool budget and increases production output and spreads tool risk.
VIP tools reduce the cycle time to a minimum while retaining lamination integrity and
strength with maximum output.
The mould allows material thickness to be controlled at any point on the panel so that minimum weight can be achieved while maintaining maximum strength.
Where possible Mtag uses VIP tools as the exposure to phenolic resins is minimised, which meets the industry’s health and safety guidelines. The surface finish is also very smooth on both surfaces which results in an excellent paint finish and good substrate for the bonding of metal-work and fixtures.
GRPh Phenolic meets Class 1a Fire Standards; BS6853 Toxicity and Smoke, BS476 Fire Propagation; and Surface Spread of Flame, and also fulfils the requirement of London Underground Section 12.
Mtag uses a number of paint systems, water based and solvent based, which meet the above BS fire standards, in any colour or gloss level and is currently developing self-coloured phenolic resins that give colour throughout the panel, prior to paint.
Mtag delivered all the GRPh Phenolic interiors for the Alstom – Virgin West Coast Main Line extension, and delivers interior and drivers’ cab parts to Bombardier.
Mtag also supplies internal and external parts to a number of refurbishment and maintenance companies and is involved in a project for Crossrail underground station cladding.
Mtag has focused on weight saving for aircraft seats and has developed a carbon fibre phenolic composite seat that has allowed the seat back weight to be reduced by about 30% and still retain strength and rigidity.
By combining the carbon fibre with glass fibre, the costs are competitive. Mtag sees an opportunity for these types of panels for rail interiors.
Mtag also supplies Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) mouldings to the bus, coach, leisure and boat sectors and offers fire retardant solutions for these products.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
E:
nick@mtagcomposites.com W:
www.mtagcomposites.co.uk
rail technology magazine Jun/Jul 13 | 69
Nick Maltby
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100